Reed Schreck: Grossman signing justifiable

Sunday

Be honest with yourself — what was your reaction the second you heard the Bears re-signed Rex Grossman?

Be honest with yourself — what was your reaction the second you heard the Bears re-signed Rex Grossman?

You can’t say it was a surprise. Most reports had the Bears bringing Grossman back to compete for the starting quarterback job with Kyle Orton.

So, were you all giddy to learn that he’s back, or did you go, "$&*%!?"

The take here is that it is a perfect move, for two reasons. First, it’s only a one-year commitment. If Grossman realizes the potential the Bears always have felt he has, then it’s smart. They can talk a new contract or even franchise him after 2008.

Second, there’s the “Fear Factor” angle. The worst thing that could happen would be for Grossman to go find success elsewhere. What if he made the Pro Bowl next season leading, oh, the Vikings to the playoffs?

See what I mean?

There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. Well, they could lose another season trying to determine if it’s really Good Rex or Bad Rex wearing that No. 8 jersey. The answer, if finally revealed, can be called priceless.

He’s been such a tease to this point.

There might not be another active quarterback with so many awful performances to offset his 100-plus passer rating days. Research I did earlier this season revealed a fairly even break between good, bad and average with Grossman.

The catch is that he’s only had one full season as a starter to be judged upon. That was 2006, when, like him or not, he helped the Bears reach the Super Bowl.

He didn’t carry them on his back, but he didn’t get in their way, either.

Every long pass he completes, fans yell keep doing that.

Every ugly interception he throws, fans yell stop doing that.

Thus the crossroads we’re at. Can Grossman ever be the quarterback the Bears want him to be, think he can be?

A conclusive determination has been impossible to make. More time is needed..
One year seems just right.

Reed Schreck is the NFL Writer for the Rockford Register Star. Contact him at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.

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